Lin greeted every one jauntily.  “How are yu’, Miss Peck?  How are yu’, Tommy?” said he.  “Hear the news, Tommy?  Crow Injuns on the war-path.”

“I declare!” said the biscuit-shooter.

The Virginian was about to say something, but his eye met Lin’s, and then he looked at Tommy.  Then what he did say was, “I hadn’t been goin’ to mention it to the ladies until it was right sure.”

“You needn’t to be afraid, Miss Peck,” said Tommy.  “There’s lots of men here.”

“Who’s afraid?” said the biscuit-shooter.

“Oh,” said Lin, “maybe it’s like most news we get in this country.  Two weeks stale and a lie when it was fresh.”

“Of course,” said Tommy.

“Hello, Tommy!” called Taylor from the lane.  “Your horse has broke his rein and run down the field.”

Tommy rose in disgust and sped after the animal.

“I must be cooking supper now,” said Katie, shortly.

“I’ll stir for yu’,” said Lin, grinning at her.

“Come along then,” said she; and they departed to the adjacent kitchen.

Miss Wood’s gray eyes brightened with mischief.  She looked at her Virginian, and she looked at me.

“Do you know,” she said, “I used to be so afraid that when Bear Creek wasn’t new any more it might become dull!”

“Miss Peck doesn’t find it dull either,” said I.

Molly Wood immediately assumed a look of doubt.  “But mightn’t it become just—­just a little trying to have two gentlemen so very—­determined, you know?”

“Only one is determined,” said the Virginian

Molly looked inquiring.

“Lin is determined Tommy shall not beat him.  That’s all it amounts to.”

“Dear me, what a notion!”

“No, ma’am, no notion.  Tommy—­well, Tommy is considered harmless, ma’am. 
A cow-puncher of reputation in this country would cert’nly never let
Tommy get ahaid of him that way.”

“It’s pleasant to know sometimes how much we count!” exclaimed Molly.

“Why, ma’am,” said the Virginian, surprised at her flash of indignation, “where is any countin’ without some love?”

“Do you mean to say that Mr. McLean does not care for Miss Peck?”

“I reckon he thinks he does.  But there is a mighty wide difference between thinkin’ and feelin’, ma’am.”

I saw Molly’s eyes drop from his, and I saw the rose deepen in her cheeks.  But just then a loud voice came from the kitchen.

“You, Lin, if you try any of your foolin’ with me, I’ll histe yu’s over the jiste!”

“All cow-punchers—­” I attempted to resume.

“Quit now, Lin McLean,” shouted the voice, “or I’ll put yus through that window, and it shut.”

“Well, Miss Peck, I’m gettin’ most a full dose o’ this treatment.  Ever since yu’ come I’ve been doing my best.  And yu’ just cough in my face.  And now I’m going to quit and cough back.”

“Would you enjoy walkin’ out till supper, ma’am?” inquired the Virginian as Molly rose.  “You was speaking of gathering some flowers yondeh.”